Gems for the Week
October 14
"Jesus answered and said unto them (Sadducees), Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God." (Matthew 22:29)
Do you know what the Scripture says about Jesus Christ, you and eternity?
Jesus told the "religious" of His day, "Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures."
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, the Scriptures - the prophets - spoke of His coming. The world should have known and welcomed Him, but their ignorance and blindness concerning the teaching of Scripture led them to fail to recognize who He was. The world was and is without excuse. Look what the Scriptures revealed about Christ long before He came:
- He would be of the tribe of Judah. (Genesis 49:9,10)
- He would be born in Bethlehem. (Micah 5:2)
- He would be born of a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14)
- He would be called out of Egypt. (Hosea 11:1)
- He would come as a prophet. (Deuteronomy 18:18,19)
- His own people would reject Him. (Isaiah 53:3)
- He would make a triumphal entry into Jerusalem. (Zechariah 9:9)
- He would be sold for 30 pieces of silver. (Zechariah 11:12,13)
- He would be put to death by crucifixion. (Psalm 22)
- His hands and His feet would be pierced. (Psalm 22:16)
- Soldiers would cast lots for His clothing. (Psalm 22:18)
- He would be raised from the dead. (Psalm 16:9)
- He would ascend into heaven. (Psalm 68:18)
(TCS - January 1993)
N.J. Hiebert # 3492
October 15
"Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for He hath triumphed gloriously." (Exodus 15:1)
Only the redeemed can truly sing. It is a new song they sing, praising God for what they now possess and never of their own doing but all of His. His provision and protection of His people follow them, surround them and goes before them as they travel. He expects nothing form us but praise, for our strength only tends to interfere and is puny in comparison to His. It is the one time there is unity for all have seen the accomplishments of His power and are affected by it. (B.R. - Meditations on Exodus)
N.J. Hiebert # 3493
October 16
". . . to serve the living and true God; and to wait for His Son from heaven whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus which delivered us from the wrath to come." (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10)
An amazing sight to us all during the war in the Persian Gulf was the abundance of yellow ribbons on display across the United States. They could be seen tied to trees, telephone poles, fenceposts, road signs, porch railings and hanging on doors as a sign of love, support and welcome home to those who were serving our country.
Events around us are pointing to the near return of the Lord Jesus for His blood-bought children. What sort of message are we conveying to Him concerning His "homecoming"? When He looks in our hearts (as only He can), does He see "yellow ribbons" of welcome? Have we grown cold or indifferent to the truth of His second coming?
One ribbon manufacturer interviewed during the conflict said that in a normal year his company would make five million yards of yellow ribbon. This year, however, they made fifty million yards to meet the demand. Oh that the desire to see our blessed Lord would be increased tenfold! (Moments For You - November 1994)
N.J. Hiebert # 3494
October 17
"All things are lawful unto me but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." (1 Corinthians 6:12)
If all things are lawful to the Christian, certainly all do not profit. As Christ never did what did not profit, so neither should the Christian. He is free, but it is only according to Christ for good, and this in love, the good of others. But there is another guard: if all things are lawful to the Christian, he refuses to be brought under the power of anything: were it not so, it would be bondage, not liberty. Thus to have regard for others' good must be kept up, as well the liberty itself intact. The Christian is called to serve others, never to be the slave of a habit in anything great or small. (W. Kelly)
N.J. Hiebert # 3495
